Storm look for more from Benick

SAN BERNARDINO -- As the Storm opened their California LeagueSouth Division miniseries Wednesday, one player they desperatelyneeded production out of was first baseman-designated hitter JonBenick.

Benick, who was the team’s designated hitter Wednesday, battedin the cleanup spot, even though he has struggled since being sentdown from Double-A Mobile (Ala.) in early August.

Benick hit .322 and was one of the Storm’s leading run producersbefore his June 8 promotion. In Mobile, he hit just .203.

Whether he changed his stroke or simply took a confidence hit,it has shown since his return.

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“Being sent down is the hardest thing that can happen,” saidStorm manager Jeff Gardner, who kept Benick hitting fourth to keepa good lefty-righty balance in the lineup. “To me, it’s a worsefeeling than being released. Sometimes it’s difficult to have theright frame of mind when you come back as far as being able tohandle the downs.”

Benick has made some strides. Gardner cited a gritty at-bat inthe season-ending series at High Desert, and Benick had two hits onthe season’s final day to finish at .300. His hope is that theplayoffs will offer a turnaround.

“It’s all in the approach,” Benick said. “If you have a goodapproach, you’re going to get where you’re going.

Some have said Inland Empire is the best team among the three inthe South Division playoffs, but the fact that the 66ers are evenplaying in September is remarkable.

Much of their core came from a team that went 52-86 at Wisconsinin the Low Class-A Midwest League last year, and eight players onthe playoff roster have either been recycled through independentleagues or cast off by other organizations.

“This team has done a lot of things that have amazed me,” Sixersmanager Steve Roadcap said. “I’ve come to expect it day in and dayout.”

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Roadcap said this season has been one of his most rewarding in13 years as a manager.

“This has been right up there,” he said. “Looking at what westarted with, and where we are now, we’ve made a lot ofprogress.”

The Sixers have been kept largely intact throughout the season,even with the loss of league batting champion Greg Jacobs. That hasbeen partly because the talent-level wasn’t perceived to be as highas Rancho Cucamonga or the Storm.

Thirteen players on Inland Empire’s playoff roster started theseason with the club.

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Bott delayed

Sixers left-hander Glenn Bott was Roadcap’s first choice tostart Game 1, but he was pushed back to today because of a blisteron his left (throwing) hand.

Bott threw 30-35 pitches in a side session Sunday, reporting noproblems related to the blister that covered almost the entire topsection of his middle finger.

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Storm Watch

Storm left fielder Marcus Nettles came out of Wednesday’s gameafter grounding out in the first inning. Nettles suffered astrained hip flexor running the bases Monday, and told manager JeffGardner it had nagging at him lately. … Utility men Jason Clementsand Joseph Hastings joined the Storm on Wednesday as expected. …Inland Empire made one minor roster move for the start of theseries, as infielder Jeremy Dutton was promoted by the Marinersfrom Everett (Wash.) of the short-season Class A Northwest Leagueto the Sixers. Catcher Cesar Quintero was placed on the disabledlist.